'the Twilight Zone' Escape Clause

Season 1. Episode 6“Escape Clause”Originally aired on Nov. 6, 1959Written by Rod Serling Spoiler Alert: You should only continue reading if you have seen the episode in question. The Twilight Zone’s themes are revealed in subtle ways that shouldn’t be ruined by reading an essay before you have seen the episode.

A man granted immortality and indestructability finds that what once gave life its savor has been eliminated. It is death that makes life worth living, and the elimination of that threat makes life very boring. Part of the issue may be that the man who is granted freedom from illness and injury along with his immortality is only concerned with himself. As a hypochondriac Walter Bedeker has concentrated on his health and well-being for his entire life. When he finally meets the devil and gains power over the things that he fears most, he doesn’t know what to do with that power. Bedeker had no thought beyond the fact that a man lives a few short years in the scheme of things. That is what this episode points out. Man has only the time that he is given. He doesn’t know how much time that is or in what way he will face his own mortality. All he can do is make decisions that allow him to live life in the best way possible, or as in the case of Bedeker, he can fear death and allow that fear to control his life. The interesting question then becomes “Would another person make better use of immortality and indestructability?” What makes life worth living beyond the thrill of death?